this would work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'this would work' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that a particular idea or plan will be effective or successful. For example: "We should build more bicycle lanes in the city, this would work to reduce car traffic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Here's how this would work.

The New York Times

Why did anyone think this would work?

The New York Times

"This would work great for Kansas".

The New York Times

"I think this would work the best.

The New Yorker

Tells how this would work.

The New Yorker

I'm not sure that this would work.

The Economist

It's not clear how this would work.

The Washington Post

"We couldn't understand how this would work.

The Guardian

Once again, the Walters didn't think that this would work.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

If so, under which conditions this procedure would work?

Measurement

Here's how this setup would work.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this would work" to express a conditional outcome, implying that the success of something is contingent on certain factors or conditions.

Common error

Avoid using "this would work" when the outcome is highly uncertain or speculative. Instead, consider phrases that express a lower degree of confidence, such as "this might work" or "this could potentially work".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this would work" functions as a statement expressing a conditional assertion of effectiveness. It is frequently used to suggest a solution or express an opinion regarding the potential success of a course of action. As Ludwig AI confirms, the usage is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

19%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this would work" is a versatile and common expression used to suggest the potential effectiveness of an idea or solution. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical structure is correct, and it appears frequently in neutral contexts, particularly in news media. It implies a conditional or hypothetical scenario and is a helpful idiom to have at your disposal. While it is often used, remember to ensure the level of certainty expressed matches the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this could function

Replaces "would" with "could", softening the certainty of the outcome.

this might be effective

Substitutes "work" with "be effective", adding a slight emphasis on the result.

this has the potential to succeed

Rephrases the idea using "has the potential to succeed", highlighting the possibility of a positive outcome.

this is a viable option

Expresses the idea as a "viable option", focusing on the practicality and feasibility.

this is likely to be successful

Uses "likely to be successful", indicating a high probability of a positive outcome.

this has a good chance of working

Introduces "a good chance of working", suggesting a probabilistic view of the outcome.

this is expected to work

Employs "expected to work", implying an anticipation of success based on some evidence or prediction.

this promises to be effective

Replaces a simple expression of effectiveness with a stronger term "promises", indicating an assured positive result.

this should prove useful

Shifts the focus to utility with "prove useful", emphasizing the practical benefit.

this holds promise

A more concise way of saying that something shows potential for positive results.

FAQs

How can I use "this would work" in a sentence?

Use "this would work" when suggesting a possible solution or course of action that you believe will be effective, like "Implementing this new software system /s/this+would+work to streamline our operations".

What phrases are similar to "this would work"?

Alternatives include "this could function", "this might be effective", or "this is a viable option", depending on the context and desired nuance.

Is it correct to say "this will work" instead of "this would work"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "this will work" expresses greater certainty, while "this would work" suggests a conditional or hypothetical scenario. The best choice depends on the context.

In what situations is it inappropriate to use "this would work"?

Avoid using "this would work" when the outcome is highly uncertain or purely speculative. In such cases, phrases like "this might work" or "this could potentially work" are more appropriate.